Individual Object Patents (Class 715/849)
  • Publication number: 20110145718
    Abstract: An approach is provided for presenting a global view of content. A content mapping platform receives an access address of content, the content including location information. The content mapping platform then determines availability information of the content by causing, at least in part, detection of the content at the access address and causing, at least in part, presentation of the content on a user interface of a user device indicating the location information based on the availability information of the content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Pekka Ketola, Panu Johansson, Jari Selenius, Lotta Partanen, Erika Reponen, Jaakko Keranen
  • Patent number: 7950009
    Abstract: A method of displaying contents on a mobile terminal. The method includes displaying a plurality of contents on a display of the mobile terminal, selecting a content from the plurality of displayed contents, and displaying the selected content and similar contents having a similar type as the selected content to be discriminated from other displayed contents that do not have the similar type as the selected content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jong Hwan Kim
  • Publication number: 20110119629
    Abstract: A graphical user interface, for inputting an access code, includes one or more entities visually representing, respectively, one or more three dimensional objects that have a first height dimension, a second width dimension and a third depth dimension; and a user input for controlling rotation of the one or more respective three dimensional objects at least in the third depth dimension, wherein a defined access code corresponds to a combination of different rotations of the one or more three dimensional objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Vesa Huotari, Nina Maaninka
  • Publication number: 20110119632
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to construction, and more specifically, to systems and methods for storing, retrieving, and sharing data relating to construction data employing maps, diagrams, and three-dimensional objects as an organizational matrix. In one embodiment, the invention includes a scalable graphical matrix, the scalable graphical matrix being a visual representation of a project that progresses from design through actualization, the visual representation being visually explorable at different scales; a data repository, the data repository storing project data, the project data being visually associated to the scalable graphical matrix; and a user interface, the user interface configurable to access and store the project data using the scalable graphical matrix. In one particular embodiment, the project is a building construction project.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventor: Drone Iyangar
  • Patent number: 7945854
    Abstract: Techniques are presented for determining a corpus of content portions, each content portion associated with at least one element. A first set of feature values is determined for each content portion. Clusters of content portions are then determined based on the first set of feature values. The features values are optionally associated with topics. Structural links between the elements are determined based on a second set of feature values. A layout of the element is then determined based on the clusters and the structural links. Optionally the N-most dominant topics are determined and also used to inform the layout of the elements in a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Yevgeniy Medynskiy, Ayman O. Farahat, Nicolas B. Ducheneaut
  • Publication number: 20110107269
    Abstract: A graphic user interface management system displays all shortcuts on surfaces of a first three-dimensional (3D) graph displayed on a desktop background. The first 3D graph streams objects during rotating. On projection paths of the objects, a first preset number of objects forms system time to be displayed on the desktop background, a second preset number of objects forms a process wall, which displays running processes of shortcuts invoked by a user from the first 3D graph. The shortcuts dragged from the first 3D graph to other positions of the desktop background are represented by second 3D graphs. A rotation speed and direction of the first 3D graph change according to an operation speed and direction on the first 3D. The system further performs corresponding desktop display actions according to manipulated operations on the first 3D graph, the process wall, or the second 3D graphs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: FOXCONN COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventors: KAI-FENG CHIU, SHIH-YUN YANG
  • Patent number: 7937668
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus displays a window in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional manner on a display screen of a display device. When a starting of an annotation operation on a window displayed in a three-dimensional manner is detected, the window is rotated about a rotational axis intersecting an origin at which the annotation input has started on the window so as to display the window in a two-dimensional manner, and a result of the annotation operation is reflected in the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koji Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20110099524
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling an icon display in a mobile terminal and a mobile terminal thereof, wherein the method comprises: generating a plurality of menu screens having a plurality of icons and displaying a first menu screen on a touch screen, the first menu screen being at least one of the plurality of menu screens; additionally displaying a set-up menu screen which is stored in a memory of the mobile terminal, the set-up menu screen including a menu icon; displaying a second menu screen if a flicking signal is generated on the first menu; and displaying an instant icon of a selected menu icon on the second menu icon if the selected menu icon of the set-up menu screen is moved to the second menu screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventors: Kye Sook Jeong, In Young Hwang, Mee Yeon Choi, Hyun Suk Jung, Eun Jeong Ryu, Byoung Nam Lee, Jung Seok Hong
  • Publication number: 20110099525
    Abstract: An approach is provided for generating a visual component. The visual component configured to create a visual object to retrieve and present place data stored in a repository is generated. The visual object is to be embedded within a website for the presentation of the place data. Storage of the visual component is caused, at least in part. Access to the visual component is selectively permitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventors: Marek Krysiuk, Sylvain Grande
  • Publication number: 20110093778
    Abstract: A mobile terminal and controlling method thereof are disclosed. The mobile terminal includes a stereoscopic user interface. The stereoscopic user interface includes a display unit capable of implementing a 3D stereoscopic image. A 3D object is displayed on the display unit. And, the 3D object can be manipulated by a user through various manipulating methods in a virtual stereoscopic space. Accordingly, the present invention provides a stereoscopic user interface using a 3D object arranged in a 3D space, thereby facilitating a user to manipulate the mobile terminal with a new visual effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Jong Hwan KIM, Yeon Joo KANG, Seung Woo NAM
  • Patent number: 7929998
    Abstract: Systems, products, and methods are disclosed for presenting signal strength and battery level of a mobile communications device and are provided. The method includes referencing an indication of the battery level, referencing an indication of the signal strength, wherein the signal strength is a strength of a wireless communications signal that the mobile communications device is receiving, determining an applicable scene that is to be used to present the battery level and the signal strength, and presenting the scene on a display of the mobile communications device to convey the battery level and the signal strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Chris Michael Edwards
  • Patent number: 7930643
    Abstract: A system and method for previewing a sequence of motion control operations. A user may utilize a motion control prototyping environment application to easily and efficiently develop/prototype a motion control sequence. For example, the environment may provide a graphical user interface (GUI) enabling the user to develop/prototype the motion control sequence at a high level, by selecting from and configuring a sequence of motion control operations using the GUI. The graphical user interface of the motion control prototyping environment may enable the user to preview various aspects of the motion performed by a motion control sequence in one or more preview windows, e.g., a velocity profile, an acceleration profile, position plots, etc., in advance before commanding the motor to perform the sequence of moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Sundeep Chandhoke, David Whatley, Denise Riedlinger
  • Publication number: 20110072397
    Abstract: A system automatically detects objects in an image and automatically displays a chosen object if the object is not currently visible in real time. An image data processing system automatically displays potentially hidden features in 3D (three dimensional) medical image data. A repository includes a 3D (three dimensional) image dataset representing an anatomical volume of interest. An image data processor processes the dataset retrieved from the repository by, (a) automatically detecting if a first object is obscured by a second object in the 3D image dataset, (b) automatically determining if the first object is visible by rotating the anatomical volume of interest and (c) rotating the anatomical volume of interest until the first object is visible in response to a command. A display processor initiates display of the rotated anatomical volume of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Scott Baker, Danyu Liu, Stefan LautenschLäger
  • Publication number: 20110069019
    Abstract: A method for manipulating a graphic widget in a three-dimensional environment displayed on a touch panel of an interactive input system is provided. The method includes tracking the x-y positions of two touch points associated with the graphic widget; and modifying the z-position of the graphic widget in accordance with changes in the distance between the x-y positions of the touch points. An interactive input system and computer readable medium embodying the method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: SMART Technologies ULC
    Inventors: SHEELAGH CARPENDALE, Mark Stephen Hancock, Thomas Ten Cate, Tobias Isenberg
  • Publication number: 20110041098
    Abstract: A system described herein provides six degrees of freedom with respect to a three-dimensional object rendered on a multi-touch display through utilization of three touch points. Multiple axes of rotation are established based at least in part upon location of a first touch point and a second touch point on a multi-touch display. Movement of a third touch point controls appearance of rotation of the three-dimensional object about two axes, and rotational movement of the first touch point relative to the second touch point controls appearance of rotation of the three-dimensional object about a third axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: James Thomas Kajiya, Andrew Wilson
  • Publication number: 20110029931
    Abstract: A synchronous control method for multi-computer is provided. The multi-computer is connected with each other through a network. The method includes the following steps: maintaining a running information list on each computer in the network, where the identifier information of all computers and the running state information of the corresponding computers are contained in the running information list; receiving a synchronous control instruction inputted by a user at any of the computers in the network; executing the synchronous control operation on the computers recorded in the running information list when the running state information of the computer receiving the instruction accords with a predetermined rule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: STATE GRID INFORMATION & TELECOMMUNICATION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jianming Liu, Pingping Hu, Feng Zhao
  • Publication number: 20110016433
    Abstract: Method, system, and software for performing independent operations with and upon N-Dimensional spatial and temporal objects displayed in virtual and real visualization systems. The technique applies user selected points or regions of interest in the visualization system to identify corresponding points or regions on transparent focus objects which describe the visualized objects, and which intersect the user's topological line of sight. The resulting set of points or regions are then used to extract information from the focus objects, which provide additional information on object content or location of related file systems. The transparent interface provides intrinsic operations which can be applied directly to the focus objects, or coupling mechanisms to external user applications, to process, manipulate or transform focus objects in either the transparent interface or the visualization system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: WXANALYST, LTD.
    Inventor: Scott T. Shipley
  • Publication number: 20110010674
    Abstract: In accordance with a particular embodiment of the invention, a request for a geotag comprising situational information and geographic coordinates may be received from a requestor. The request may include geospatial data, such as position data and viewing angle data, that identifies a location of the requester. The position data may be latitude data, longitude data, and/or elevation data, and the viewing angle data may be azimuth data, compass direction data, and/or orientation data. The geographic coordinates of a candidate geotag may be compared to the location received in the request. If the candidate geotag is near the location received in the request, it may be sent to the requester.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Nicholas W. Knize, Larry J. Johnson, Roberto Reta
  • Publication number: 20110010325
    Abstract: The present invention teaches methods for applying an avatar behavior rule within a virtual universe environment. An avatar behavior rule and a violation threshold for the rule are defined for a virtual universe environment. The behavior of a collective plurality of avatars within the virtual universe is monitored for compliance with the rule, including determining an amount of compliance with the rule and comparing the compliance amount with the violation threshold. If the compliance amount exceeds the violation threshold, then the rule or the violation threshold is revised until the monitored behavior of the collective plurality of avatars within the virtual universe is in compliance with the rule, and in effect does not exceed the violation threshold. Service methods, articles of manufacture comprising a computer readable program, systems, articles and programmable devices for performing one or more method and/or process elements of the current invention are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David C. Brillhart, Christopher J. Dawson, Michael D. Kendzierski, James W. Seaman
  • Patent number: 7869039
    Abstract: A microscopic-measurement apparatus capable of conducting measurement successively in several set areas regardless of the type of stage driving system or the precision of the stage driving system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: JASCO Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Akao, Jun Koshoubu
  • Publication number: 20100333038
    Abstract: A logical designing part includes a logical connectivity data storage that stores logical connectivity data, indicating a logical connectivity between plant equipments, including first end point connection data. A geometry data designing part includes a geometry data storage that stores geometry data that is graphical shape data in a three-dimensional space and includes second end point data. A data linking part includes: an automatic correspondence table generating part that compares first end point connection data with second end point data and generates a logical connection and geometry data table including correspondence data that links the geometry connection data and the geometry data of which first and second end point connection data are matched each other. A correspondence storage stores the logical connection and geometry data table. An editing part edits the logical connection and geometry data table on the basis of a user command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatake Sato, Ichiro Harashima, Yuichi Koizumi, Koji Shiroyama
  • Publication number: 20100306825
    Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating user interaction with a simulated object that is associated with a physical location in the real world environment is herein disclosed. In one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure include a method, which may be implemented on a system, of identifying the simulated object that is available for access based on location data. The location data can include a location of a device in a time period, the device for use by a user to access the simulated object. One embodiment includes, verifying an identity of the user; and in response to determining that the user is authorized to access the simulated object, providing the simulated object for presentation to the user via the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: Lucid Ventures, Inc.
    Inventor: Nova T. Spivack
  • Publication number: 20100306707
    Abstract: The system and method are described for enhancing location-based services by enabling spatial database systems to respond to or answer spatial queries that use a reference object to identify objects or features of interest in environmental scene before a system user. The system and method present invention enhances pointing technology by permitting system users to use queries to identify objects or features within the system user's field of view by pointing at the reference object or feature, and linking it to the object of interest by using spatial prepositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventor: David CADUFF
  • Publication number: 20100299747
    Abstract: An avatar in a virtual world is provided with credentials for access to various parts of the virtual world by embedding information derived from avatar identification and authorized credential information in the form of a graphic image associated with the avatar. The embedded information is preferably encrypted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rick A. Hamilton, II, Richard J. Newhook, Martin S. Ramsey, James W. Seaman
  • Publication number: 20100299640
    Abstract: A status update of a real world entity is received. A previous status of a virtual world entity is transformed into a current status of the virtual world entity based on the status update of the real world entity. The virtual world entity may be part of a virtual world and may correspond to the real world entity in a real world. Further, the virtual world entity and the virtual world may be generated by a computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Tobin Titus
  • Publication number: 20100283781
    Abstract: A three-dimensional model of an object is employed to aid in navigation among a number of images of the object taken from various viewpoints. In general, an image of an object such as a digital photograph is displayed in a user interface or the like. When a user selects a point within the display that corresponds to a location on the surface of the object, another image may be identified that provides a better view of the object. In order to maintain user orientation to the subject matter while navigating to this destination viewpoint, the display may switch to a model view and a fly-over to the destination viewpoint may be animated using the model. When the destination viewpoint is reached, the display may return to an image view for further inspection, marking, or other manipulation by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Ilya A. Kriveshko, Dmitriy A. Dedkov
  • Publication number: 20100277468
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and devices for enabling a user to visualise a virtual model in a real environment. According to the invention, a 2D representation of a 3D virtual object is inserted, in real-time, into the video flows of a camera aimed at a real environment in order to form an enriched video flow. A plurality of cameras generating a plurality of video flows can be simultaneously used to visualise the virtual object in the real environment according to different angles of view. A particular video flow is used to dynamically generate the effects of the real environment on the virtual model. The virtual model can be, for example, a digital copy or virtual enrichments of a real copy. A virtual 2D object, for example the representation of a real person, can be inserted into the enriched video flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: TOTAL IMMERSION
    Inventors: Valentin Lefevre, Jean-Marie Vaidie
  • Publication number: 20100281432
    Abstract: A capture device may capture a user's motion and a display device may display a model that maps to the user's motion, including gestures that are applicable for control. A user may be unfamiliar with a system that maps the user's motions or not know what gestures are applicable for an executing application. A user may not understand or know how to perform gestures that are applicable for the executing application. Providing visual feedback representing instructional gesture data to the user can teach the user how to properly gesture. The visual feedback may be provided in any number of suitable ways. For example, visual feedback may be provided via ghosted images, player avatars, or skeletal representations. The system can process prerecorded or live content for displaying visual feedback representing instructional gesture data. The feedback can portray the deltas between the user's actual position and the ideal gesture position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventors: Kevin Geisner, Relja Markovic, Stephen Gilchrist Latta, Gregory Nelson Snook, Darren Bennett
  • Patent number: 7823074
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided which can be used to control electrical household appliances connected to a home network by use of a GUI having an entertainment-oriented virtual space capability. A virtual space is arranged with a mascot dedicated to the user of an information processing apparatus. An icon can be clicked to control a real world device existing in the home of a user. A user can participate in a virtual space belonging to another user through sharing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Japan, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenichi Takemura, Mamoru Tokashiki, Yoshihiro Wakita
  • Patent number: 7817163
    Abstract: A method and system for rendering a desktop on a computer using a composited desktop model operating system are provided. A composited desktop window manager, upon receiving base object and content object information for one or more content objects from an application program, draws the window to a buffer memory, and takes advantage of advanced graphics hardware and visual effects to render windows based on content on which they are drawn. The frame portion of each window may be generated by pixel shading a bitmap having the appearance of frosted glass based on the content of the desktop on top of which the frame is displayed. Legacy support is provided so that the operating system can draw and render windows generated by legacy applications to look consistent with non-legacy application windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Hanggie, Victor Tan, Gerardo Bermudez, Gregory D. Swedberg
  • Publication number: 20100261526
    Abstract: Methods of and apparatuses for providing human interaction with a computer, including human control of three dimensional input devices, force feedback, and force input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas G. Anderson, Bill Anderson, Walter Aviles, Richard Aviles, Jake Jones, V. Gerald Grafe
  • Publication number: 20100257485
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a computer readable storage medium provide the ability to manipulate a segment of a network in a computer drawing application. A graphics drawing program is displayed on a display device. User input is accept that obtains a drawing having graphics objects. A connected object network object is created. A subset of the graphics objects (that are connected to each other) are added to the connected object network object. User input is accepted that selects a first graphic object in the subset and in response, an alignment line is displayed across all of the graphic objects in the connected object network object. The alignment line graphically indicates that all of the graphic objects in the subset are part of the connected object network object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: AUTODESK, INC.
    Inventors: Sami E. Ghantous, Jose Madeira de Freitas Garcia
  • Publication number: 20100251185
    Abstract: A method of controlling the appearance of an object in a virtual environment of a computer game, in which the computer game is arranged to move the object within the virtual environment, the method comprising: associating with the object a three-dimensional array of nodes by storing, for each node, data defining a position of that node in a coordinate system for the object; defining a first shape of the object by associating each of a first plurality of locations on the object with a respective predetermined position relative to one or more of the nodes; detecting a collision of the object with an item in the virtual environment; adjusting the position of one or more of the nodes to represent the collision, thereby adjusting the first shape of the object; and outputting an image of the object based on the adjusted first shape of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: Codemasters Software Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert Mark Pattenden
  • Publication number: 20100205568
    Abstract: This invention provides a graphical user interface which receives a 3-dimensional representation of a first object, provides controls to specify a second object and displays a 3-dimensional representation of the first object in conjunction with the second object. The first object may be a hand of a person and the second object may be a jewellery ring to be made from the specification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Dale Edward Mooney, Alex Lavrinovich, Jason Brett Mobberley
  • Patent number: 7774733
    Abstract: A user interface method and apparatus which allow a user to intuitively control electronic devices connected to a home network by using a virtual 3D space layout diagram, and electronic devices and storage media therefor are provided. The user interface method includes: generating a virtual 3D space layout diagram based on 3D position information regarding at least one electronic device connected to a home network; displaying the generated virtual 3D space layout diagram; receiving an input signal based on the displayed virtual 3D space layout diagram; and performing a user interface function corresponding to the received input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joon-kyu Seo, Sang-woong Hwang
  • Publication number: 20100169059
    Abstract: A computer system includes a three-dimensional model of an object such as a piece of jewelry. The model is divided into multiple layers, each of which contains one or more components of the object. Each layer is associated with one or more attribute types, each of which is associated with a corresponding plurality of possible attribute values. The system pre-renders each layer with each possible attribute type and each possible attribute value for that type and layer. The resulting layer renderings may be combined with each other to produce personalized renderings of the entire object without the need to pre-render all possible combinations of attribute values. Responsibility for rendering the layers and the final complete object personalization may be divided between client and server in a variety of ways to increase efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Grant Thomas-Lepore, Iwao Hatanaka, Murali Menon
  • Publication number: 20100146450
    Abstract: In a screen for displaying thumbnail images, a background image is displayed on an entire portion of a specific area, translucent lanes are displayed on the background, and thumbnail images are displayed on a lane located in the center of the screen. When a mouse pointer is put on a lane on the right side of the lane located in the center, a symbol image that is arranged on the right side of a symbol image corresponding to the thumbnail images on a place map screen, and a file name of the symbol image are displayed on the lane that is specified by the mouse pointer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventor: Takaaki Harada
  • Publication number: 20100138793
    Abstract: Described is a virtual environment built by drawing stacks of three-dimensional objects (e.g., discrete blocks) as manipulated by a user. A user manipulates one or more objects, resulting in stack heights being changed, e.g., by adding, removing or moving objects to/from stacks. The stack heights are maintained as sample points, e.g., each point indexed by its associated horizontal location. A graphics processor expands height-related information into visible objects or stacks of objects by computing the vertices for each stack to draw that stack's top surface, front surface and/or side surface based upon the height-related information for that stack. Height information for neighboring stacks may be associated with the sample point, whereby a stack is only drawn to where it is occluded by a neighboring stack, that is, by computing the lower vertices for a surface according to the height of a neighboring stack where appropriate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Mark T. Finch, Matthew B. MacLaurin, Stephen B. Coy, Eric S. Anderson, Lili Cheng
  • Patent number: 7725839
    Abstract: A three-dimensional object that represents computer data and methods and computer-readable media for presenting same. The object has a first, active side and a second, inactive side. The active side may contain information relating to the computer data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Joshua M. Michaels
  • Patent number: 7725831
    Abstract: A communication device which urges a user to select another communication device with which communication should be performed in a plurality of communication devices existing as candidates for communication, and which performs communication with the selected communication device. The communication device has an acquisition section which obtains, from each of the plurality of communication devices, motion information indicating the motion of the communication device in space, a display section which displays each of motion images representing the motions of the plurality of communication devices in space on the basis of the motion information obtained from the communication devices, and a communication section which urges the user to select one of the motion images displayed by the display section, and which performs communication with the communication device indicated by the selected motion image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Noboru Kamijo
  • Publication number: 20100115471
    Abstract: Systems, methods, computer-readable mediums, user interfaces and other implementations are disclosed for implementing multidimensional widgets. A multidimensional widget is a three-dimensional object with application surfaces, and each application surface is associated with a widget function. Multidimensional widgets can be modified by adding functions or grouping with other widgets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: John O. Louch, Imran A. Chaudhri
  • Publication number: 20100100851
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for mapping a real-world object to a virtual object in a virtual world. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for mapping a real-world object to a virtual object in a virtual world can include, generating a view to a virtual world for a participant to a virtual world and rendering an avatar for the participant in the view to the virtual world, locating a geographic position of a real-world object outside of the virtual world, mapping the located geographic position to a location in the virtual world, and displaying a counterpart representation of the real-world object in the view at the mapped location in the virtual world.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason T. Clark, Amy H. Dewar, Robert C. Leah, Nicholas E. Poore, Peter C. Yim
  • Publication number: 20100093400
    Abstract: A mobile terminal and a method for displaying executable functions are disclosed. A plurality of rotatable three-dimensional polyhedral icons is displayed on a touch screen display. Executable functions are assigned to the faces of the three-dimensional polyhedral icons, and at least two faces are visible. A polyhedral icon may be selected and continuously rotated about its horizontal and vertical axes to display other faces, and the executable function on the face parallel to the plane of the display may be executed, thereby providing a convenient way to access executable functions of a mobile terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Seokhoon JU, Soohyun HAN, Jea-Un KIM
  • Publication number: 20100088650
    Abstract: Three-dimensional object bridge between virtual and physical worlds. A method, system, apparatus and/or computer-usable medium includes steps of selecting a three-dimensional item in a first state for subsequent rendering into a second state and rendering the three-dimensional item in the second state via the three-dimensional rendering apparatus. An additional step of locating a three-dimensional rendering apparatus for rendering the three-dimensional item in a second state can be included. The three-dimensional rendering apparatus can be configured as a kiosk (manned or unmanned), Internet-enabled vending machine, and the like. The first state can comprise a virtual state and the second state can comprise a physical state. Likewise, the first state can comprise a physical state and the second state can comprise a virtual state. Additionally, the three-dimensional item/object can be mapped in the first state for rendering in the second state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventors: Christopher Kaltenbach, Luke Nihlen, Luis M. Ortiz
  • Patent number: 7694238
    Abstract: Selecting an obscured object of a computer-generated model consisting of a plurality of objects displayed on a computer screen includes receiving input data interpreted as an instruction to change a visibility characteristic of a first one of the plurality of objects (the first one of the objects obscuring another of the objects, and the first object being determined based on the location of an on-screen cursor), and modifying a visibility characteristic of the first object to cause another one of the objects to become discernable and selectable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: SolidWorks Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Gibson, James C. Wilkinson, John Sweeney, Seetharam Misro
  • Publication number: 20100050129
    Abstract: A method for providing a graphical user interface for an electronic device, wherein the electronic device having a display and a plurality of associated applications, comprising the steps: generating the appearance of a virtual three dimensional object having a plurality of panels, wherein the panels are positioned on the surface of the object; associating each of the panels to one of the applications; and displaying two or more of the panels of the object on the display, wherein the associated applications of the panels are displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: AUGUSTA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Jisheng Li, Yuan Feng, Chunyang Sun
  • Publication number: 20100037182
    Abstract: Method for displaying MRI images including the following steps: displaying a plurality of different images one after the other obtained by nuclear magnetic resonance image acquisition, each of which images is different with respect to at least a part of the other images due to the fact that the plane of the displayed image corresponds to a different section plane through a body or part thereof under examination having a predetermined different position and/or a predetermined different orientation with respect to the body under examination and to a reference system; and the passage from displaying an image to display a further image is achieved by control means which define the position and/or orientation of different section planes of different images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventors: Eugenio Biglieri, Luigi Satragno
  • Publication number: 20100023894
    Abstract: System for selecting elements displayed on a screen, said elements (E1, . . . , EN) being arranged along a helix. According to the invention, said helix (H) is represented in three dimensions on said screen, and said selection system comprises a pointing/selection device using a cursor (10) for pointing at/selecting any element to be selected on the helix and a device for manipulating the helix, able to modify at least locally the pitch of the helix. Application to graphical interfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: France Telecom
    Inventors: Pascal Le Mer, Emmanuel Pinot
  • Patent number: 7653245
    Abstract: A method of coding a view in a CAD drawing comprises: identifying a feature of the view; extracting properties of the feature from the CAD drawing, the properties including vector properties associated with a graphic entity or group of entities which make up the feature; generating code bits representative of the extracted properties; adding the code bits to a view code for the view; and storing the view code. A CAD drawing is selected for retrieval from a database of drawings by producing a CAD source drawing having a source view, coding the source view to produce a source code as described above, comparing the source code with stored view codes, calculating a similarity index for each stored view code and selecting the drawing for retrieval from the database on the basis of the similarity index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Aston University
    Inventors: Douglas Love, Jeffrey Barton
  • Publication number: 20100005423
    Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for modifying an object. In one embodiment, the process obtains avatar tracking data that identifies a location of an avatar in relation to a range of an object. The range includes a viewable field. The process then selects a data collection method based on the location of the set of avatars. In response to detecting an event for triggering modification of the object, the process calculates a set of color modifiers based on display setting data to form a modified color. Thereafter, the process renders the object using the modified color when the location of the set of avatars is within the range of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Peter George Finn, Rick Allen Hamilton, II, Brian Marshall O'Connell, Clifford Alan Pickover, Keith Raymond Walker